Rubbing block



J. M. GAUSS RUBBING BLOCK Feb. 7, 1933.

Filed May 22, 1930 INVENTOR. BY Juan ATTOR Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE JULIUS u. Gauss, or scum BEND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TOTHE sTUnEBAxEE. con- PORATION, or sourn BEND, INDIANA, a CORPORATION OFNEW JERSEY BUBBING BLOCK This invention relates to rubbing blocks andparticularly to blocks for finishing automobile bodies and the like.

The principal object of my lnvention 1s to provide a ru bing blockcomprising a resilient base having a plurality of abrasive memberssecured therein adaptedjo have limited movement to conform with slightlyirregular surfaces.

A further object is to provide a rubber-base having a plurality ofabrasive members vulcanized therein, the abrasive members being slottedand then broken at the connecting webs after being vulcanized to thebase.

Further objects and objects relating to details of construction andmanufacture will be apparent from the detailed description to follow,and then claimed, having theabove and other objects in view.

In the drawing which shows a suitable embodiment of my presentinvention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rubbing block, a portion of the basebeing broken away, and in section, to better show the invention.

Figure 2 is a view corresponding with Figgre 1, showing a slightlymodified-form of ase.

Figure 3 is an inverted perspective 'view of the device shown in Figure1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the abrasive membersillustrated in the preceding views.

In the rubbing of automobile bodies and the like, it has been customaryto use a plurality of abrasive members tied together with a string ortape which are held in the hand of the workman for finishing .theobject. These rubbing blocks are not entirely satisfactory because greatskill and care must be used in handling them to prevent one or more ofthe blocks from slipping out of place which, of, course, would interferewith the work. In the present invention, a rubbing block is providedwhich has all of the advantages of the devices heretofore used but whicheliminates the disadvantages inherent therein so that the rubbing blockcan be used by those who are not so skilledin the art of wise secured, athin metal plate 12 over which is positioned and preferably vulcanizedthereto a finishing piece 13. Bolts 14 having their heads 15 within themember 11 extend through the metal plate 12 and the cap 13 for attachingthe rubbing block to a vibrating machine not shown. I

Abrasive members 16'which maybe natural sandstone, artificial sandstone,or any other suitable material, are seated within the cup-shaped base11, these members preferably being rectangular in form so that they canbe seated against each other in face to face contact to form thecomplete structure as shown in Figure 3. Each abrasive member 16 ispreferably slotted in one direction at 17 and in the opposite directionat 18, as

shown in Figures 3. and 4:, the slots extending nearly through thesemembers so as to leave relatively thin connecting webs 19; After theblocks 16 are stacked in assembled position, they are put in a mold, thebase is vulcanized thereto and if desired, the rubber Y is filled in theslots 17 and '18, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to form a complete bondfor these members to hold them securely to the base. I

'In Figure 2, I have shown a rubber base 20 having a convex uppersurface adapted to fit the palm of the hand and having a recess 21formed around the edge thereof which may be gripped by the fingers-sothat the rubbing block may be easily handled. The

abrasive members 16 which may be of any of the materials heretoforedescribed, are secured in the rubber base 20 in the same manner as theyare secured in the rubber base 11, the difference in shape of therespective bases being merely for convenience inattachin the rubbingblock to a machine or for han use.

After the abrasive members 16 are vu1- canized to the base 11 or 20, therespective abrasive members are preferably hit witha hammer or othersuita le instrument whereby the welis 19 are brokenas at 22, as shown 5in Figures 1 and 2, so that the rubbin block comprises a large pluralitof small a rasive pieces, firmly secured to t e base member.

As the material tobe finished oftentimes has slight irregularitiestherein and as it is with those irregularities, it is desirable to useas small piecesas is practical so that the respective pieces willconform to the contour of the ob ect to be finished. In thepresentinvention, theabrasive members are vulcanized to the base memberso thatthere is ,-no danger of an of the small abrasive members becoming diodgedor slipping out of place and at the same t1me, the backin issuflicientsurface to be finished so as to smooth out any low spots whichmay be resent therein.

.While I have illustrat one embodiment of the present invention, it willbe understood that formal changes and changes relating to details inconstruction and manufacture will be a parent. to those skilled in theart from my closure and description of the invention, and I therefore donot wish to limit my invention to the exact details shown but on thecontrary desire to claim the invention broadly as well as specificallyas is indicated in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A rubbing block comprising, a cupshaped resilient base, a pluralityof slotted abrasive members positioned therein in face tofacecontact,and means within said slots 40 for securing)said members to said base.

2. A rub ing block comprising, arubber base and a plurality of slottedabrasive members vulcanized thereto in face to face contact, the webs atthe ends of said slots being said base. v

3. A rubbing block comprising, a rubber base and a plurality of slottedabrasive members having their bases vulcanized thereto and having arubber bond extending, through 4. rubbing block comprising, a rubberbase and a plurality of abrasive members vul-' 'canized thereto in faceto face contact, said members bein base within said slots.

5, A rubbing block comprising, a rubber base, a lurality of abrasivemembers having a p urality of slots extending throu h each member bondedto said base, and a ru ber bond extending through said slots.

- 8. A rubbing block comprising, a. resilient base, a-plnrah -ofabrasive members having slots exten mg in perpendicular direcfi 'tionsthrough each member, and a resilient desirable to have the rubbing blockconform ly resilientso that each of the a rasive memhere will readilyconform with the irregular slotted and bonded to said 4 bond extendingamu ements connected with said base. 7. The method of form "rubbingblocks comprising the slotting of a rasive members, arranging saidmembers in rows, and vulcamzing a rubber base thereto.

8. The method of forming rubbing blocks comprising the slotting of arasive members,

arrangingiaid members in rows, vulcanizing said mem rs to a rubber baseand break the webs at the ends of said slots after s ifi members arevulcanized to said base.

9. The method of formin rubbingblocks comprising, the slotting of arasive members, arranging said members in rows, securing and members toa base and breaking-the webs at the ends of said slots after said mem-'here are secured to said base.

Signed b me at SouthBend, Indiana, this 16th day 0 May, 1930. g

, t JULIUS M. GAUSS.

' broken after said members are vulcanized to

